How to Zest a Lemon

5 from 4 votes

Learn four easy ways to zest a lemon in this step-by-step guide, bringing a burst of citrus goodness to your dishes.

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings tablespoon

Calories 31kcal

Wash the lemon thoroughly and dry it.
Zest the lemon using one of the following techniques:
Microplane Zest: Hold the microplane zester at a slight angle and gently scrape the lemon's outer skin, avoiding the white pith underneath. Move the zester in long strokes to collect the fine lemon zest.
Box Grated Zest: Rub the lemon against the grater's small holes. Be careful not to press too hard to avoid grating the bitter pith.
Peeler Zest: Carefully peel off the yellow outer layer with a vegetable peeler, avoiding the white pith. You can use a knife to trim the strips into thinner pieces or leave them as is.
Knife Zest: Use a sharp paring knife to carefully remove the yellow outer layer with a knife, avoiding the pith. Finely chop the zest with a knife to achieve the desired size.